First Hawaiian Center

The First Hawaiian Center is a 30-story office tower that stands prominently in downtown Honolulu with a distinctive split facade of beige limestone on one side and reflective blue glass on the other. The building houses office space and opens to a public plaza with water features where people can pause while moving through the downtown area.

This structure was completed in 1996 by the architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox and marked a shift in how Honolulu developed its downtown skyline. At the time of its completion, it became the second tallest building in the state and reflected new ambitions for the city's growth.

Art galleries within the building display works by artists who live and work in Hawaii through a partnership with the Honolulu Museum of Art. When you walk inside, you encounter local creative expressions alongside the everyday flow of office workers and visitors.

The building sits on Bishop Street in the heart of downtown and is easily accessible on foot from surrounding areas and transit stops. The public plaza at ground level is open to the public and offers a pleasant spot to rest, with seating and water features where you can sit and observe the downtown activity.

The building's form is created by two interlocking triangles that give it a distinctive geometric profile when viewed from different angles. A prismatic art-glass wall catches and refracts sunlight in the banking hall, creating a shimmering effect that shifts as the sun moves throughout the day.

Location: Honolulu

Inception: 1996

Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox

Official opening: 1996

Floors above the ground: 30

GPS coordinates: 21.30790,-157.86200

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47